Computer mouse cable holder

ABSTRACT

A flexible cable holder for releasably suspending a computer mouse cable from a location above the plane of a surface upon which the mouse is moved to provide an adjustable length of cable between the mouse and the holder. The cable holder comprises a body member including two end portions with a fastening mechanism disposed at one of the end portions for affixing the holder at a location above the plane of the surface upon which the mouse is moved during its operation, and a projecting body portion that extends generally horizontally and outwardly from the one end portion when affixing the holder with the fastening mechanism at a location above the plane of the surface upon which the mouse is moved. The projecting body portion includes a cable retaining mechanism disposed at the other end portion of the holder for releasably receiving and frictionally retaining a folded cable portion which is folded back upon itself. The cable retaining mechanism includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a cable receiving aperture that extends through the top and bottom surfaces and has a size sufficient to receive and frictionally retain the folded-back cable portion in place with respect to the projecting means to maintain the adjustable length of the cable substantially constant between the mouse and the holder. The cable retaining mechanism is effective to allow the mouse to be freely moved during operation of the mouse without the adjustable length of the cable being subject to frictional drag and entanglement. The holder may include a tray for receiving and holding small articles and/or a slot for holding upright cards or photographs or other flat objects.

Pursuant to 37 CFR 1.53(b), this is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/186,625 filed Nov. 6. 1998.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to a computer mouse cable holder andin particular, to a holder of simple construction and minimal parts forsuspending the cable above the mouse.

The holder is designed to eliminate problems associated with the use ofa computer mouse. Typically, a computer workstation will include a desksurface with a desktop computer, a keyboard, a mouse, a mouse pad, and amonitor. The desk surface often becomes crowded when papers are addedthereto. In order to use a computer mouse, one must move the mouse fromside to side and back and forth. The computer mouse cord or cable dragsalong the desk surface during these movements. The force of thisfrictional mouse cable drag is in addition to that amount of exertionnormally required to move the mouse which adds to the fatigue of theuser. Additionally, the mouse cable can become entangled with papers orother objects on the desk surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The computer mouse hook of U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,934 requires a heavy baseto support a wire mast including an integral serpentine gripper throughwhich is woven a mouse cable. The mouse hook occupies valuable space onthe desk or table top, requires a large height space and has many parts.

The computer mouse cord holder and support of U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,895requires a base which is screwed to a table top and an upright housingwith a flexible, helical coil for encasing the cord. The cord holderdamages the table top, takes up too much space and requires laborious“threading” of the cord through the cord holder.

The electrical cord holder device of U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,860 requires aplate with at least one flange projecting therefrom, and a coating ofself-adhesive material thereon. Tile holder device is intended formounting on wall molding and together with the wall surface forms atrough-like section for laying a cord therein. Resilient limbs or clipsare used to retain a cord. The holder device is designed for electricalcords which are thick and stiff and are not intended to be moved. Thecords are pushed laterally into channels defined by the limbs and clipsfor retention.

The display device of U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,138 requires a body of sheetmaterial with fold lines and pole receiving holes or apertures that isfoldable to support a pole of a sign at two spaced apart locations.

The mouse cord control device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,723,821 requires avertical support member for elevating mouse cord engaging means abovethe mouse pad and a base member for attachment to the mouse pad.

The computer mouse support of U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,822 requires aplatform upon which a mouse can be operated, the platform being slidablymounted on a bracket. The platform includes notches for the mouse cordand is adjustable for the user's comfort.

The lap supported computer mouse surface of U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,128requires a platform with locating and retaining means and spaced postsadjacent to the edges for preventing escape of the mouse. It uses a slotto hold the mouse cord rather than a hole.

The mouse pad of U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,061 requires a base with a mousereceiving surface and a cord retainer for retaining a cord of a computermouse. It uses a channel rather than a hole.

Although mouse cord or cable holding devices are known in the art, allof the prior art devices still suffer from major drawbacks and make useof slots and channels. The prior art devices raise only a small portionof the cord above the work surface. The mouse cord is not raised highenough off of the surface to eliminate frictional drag and prevententangling. The prior art teaches or suggests that slots and channelsare suitable devices for retaining mouse cords.

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a holder whichsuspends a computer mouse cable high above the computer mouse tofacilitate movement of the mouse.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a holderwhich reduces the amount of force required to move the mousehorizontally.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a holderwhich releasably grips a cable such that adjustments can be made withoutthe use or need of tools.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a holderwhich prevents tangling of a computer mouse cable.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a holderwhich removes clutter from the work surface adjacent to a computermouse.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a holderwhich suspends a computer mouse cable in a substantially verticalorientation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a holderwhich is pivotally adjustable to suit the preference of the user.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a holderwhich facilitates use by left-handed and right-handed users.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a holderwhich provides a receptacle to receive small articles such as pens andpencils.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a holderwhich displays cards or photographs or other flat objects and holds themupright.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a holderwhich projects laterally and towards the user from its affixed surface.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a holderwhich requires a minimum of height space.

THE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The computer mouse cable holder makes use of the novelty of a foldedcable held releasably in a hole. None of the prior art devices teach orsuggest use of a hole to releasably retain a portion of a foldedcomputer mouse cable such that the remaining portions of the cableextend downwardly away from the holder. Neither does it suggest or teachuse of adjustable arms for a device to support or hold a computer mousecable.

The present invention is directed to a holder for a computer mousecable, in particular a holder that suspends a portion of the cable,prevents tangling of the cable and facilitates use of the mouse byeliminating drag and friction on the cable. The holder includes a bodywhich may be straight or angled or adjustably jointed. The holderincludes an aperture near at least one end adapted to releasably retaina portion of a cable which is folded back upon itself. The holderincludes fastening means for affixing it to a surface or structure whichis generally above the computer mouse. The holder optionally includes atray for receiving and holding small articles and a slot for holdingupright cards or photographs or other flat objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following descriptionand appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawingsforming a part of the specification wherein like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts in the several views.

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the holder of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of another embodiment of the holder showing anangled body portion.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a third embodiment of the holder showing apivotally connected body portion.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionin use on a monitor and supporting a portion of a mouse cable.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention showing an optional tray and an optional slot.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of thepresent invention showing a close-up detail of the tray and the slot.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the present inventionshowing an angled body portion with bilateral symmetry and an aperturenear each end for facile use by either right or left handed users.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention inuse on a monitor and showing the location of the aperture and cablerelative to the keyboard and mouse pad for a right handed user.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention including a twist section in the body that is adjacent theaperture and particularly adapted for use with a portable computer.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention showing a shortened version including a flange portion andfastening means at an end distal to the aperture for mounting on agenerally vertical surface above the mouse.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention showing a shortened version with a pivotally adjustable armincluding a flange portion and fastening means at an end distal to theaperture.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention including S-curved arms in a closed position.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 13 showing theS-curved arms in a partially extended position.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 13 showing theS-curved arms in an extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 shows the holder110 for a computer mouse cable or other computer input device. Theholder 110 is elongate and includes a first end 111, a second end 112, atop surface 113 and a bottom surface 114. Near at least one of the ends,the holder 110 includes an aperture 115. The aperture is sized andadapted to engage and releasably retain a folded portion of a computermouse cable or the like.

In use, the holder supports a computer mouse cable in a manner similarto that shown in FIG. 4. The holder may be affixed or fastened to acomputer display or monitor, a shelf or other structure which isgenerally above a support surface for the mouse or input device.Fastening means 117 such as double sided sticky tape or other adhesives,hook and loop fabric (for example, Velcro) and other known fasteningdevices may be employed to affix the holder to the structure.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the holder 210. The holder 210includes a first body portion 210 a which extends at an angle from asecond body portion 210 b. The holder 210 includes a first end 211, asecond end 212, a top surface 213 and a bottom surface 214. The holder210 includes at least one aperture 215 adapted to engage and releasablyretain a folded portion of a cable. Fastening means 217 are shownattached to the holder 210. This holder allows the mouse cable to bepositioned closer to the user.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the holder 310 including a first bodypart 310 a and a second body part 310 b. The first body part 310 a ispivotally attached to the second body part 310 b at a pivot point 316.The body parts are movable with respect to each other about the pivotpoint 316 as indicated by the curved arrow A. The holder 310 is similarto the other embodiments and includes a first end 311, a second end 312,a top surface 313, a bottom surface 314, at least one aperture 315 andfastening means 317. This holder allows the cable to be adjustablypositioned even after the holder is fastened by the fastening means. Theuser may reposition the aperture and thus the cable to be nearer orfarther to suit his or her preference.

FIG. 4 shows holder 310 in use. The holder 310 is affixed to a computerdisplay D and supports a folded portion F of a cable C. The cable issemi-rigid and tends to return to a straight line upon being folded andreleased. The folded cable is inserted into the aperture or hole in thearm. It remains in the hole and does not fall out because the section ofthe folded cable above the arm expands and becomes too large to transitthe hole. The expansion is caused by two forces working together. Theouter edges of the cable are stretched and the elasticity of the cableworks to straighten out the fold. The inner edges of the fold arecompressed and they push outwards and also tend to straighten the fold.As a consequence, the folded cable blossoms after transiting the holeand the fold is transformed from an inverted “U” shape into an invertedteardrop shape. Thus the folded cable is trapped by the hole. As isevident in the drawings and this description, the size of the hole issufficient to receive and frictionally retain the folded cable portionin place with respect to the holder to maintain the adjustable length ofthe cable substantially constant between the mouse and the holder. Thelength of cable from the mouse to the holder may be adjusted in thefollowing manner. To make minor adjustments to the length of cablebetween the mouse and the holder, the cable can be pushed into or pulledout from the aperture a little bit. To make major adjustments, the cablecan be pulled free of the aperture and a selected portion of the cablecan be folded and reinserted into the aperture. These adjustments aremade manually without need of tools. A conventional keyboard K, mouse M,and mouse pad P are also shown.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the holder 310 which includes a tray40 for receiving pens, pencils, erasers or similar small articles that auser may desire. Also shown is an elongate slot or channel 50. The slot50 is useful for holding upright cards, notes or pictures or other flatobjects (not shown) which may be inserted therein by a user. The tray 40and the slot 50 may be integrally formed in any one of the embodimentsof the present invention. Alternatively, the tray 40 and slot 50 may beformed as separate parts and may be affixed to any of the embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed end view of a tray 40 and slot 50 with a flatobject received in the slot. Body part 310 a has been removed forclarity.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the holder 210′. The holder 210′includes first body portion 210 a and second body portion 210 b. A thirdbody portion 210 c provides increased stability. This embodiment of theholder is bilaterally symmetrical and includes an aperture or hole 215near each end.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of the holder 310 in use with the holepositioned at the rear center of the mouse pad in a typical layout for aright handed user.

FIG. 9 shows a right side view of the holder 310 in use. The gentlecurves induced in the suspended cable are clearly visible. The amount ofthe cable that rests on the work surface is minimal. The cable can beadjusted to be suspended such that the mouse will enjoy 360 degrees offreedom. When the cable is suspended, the mouse is free to move in anydirection in a horizontal plane. This will completely eliminate anyfriction or hazard of kinking or tangling. There will be no friction onthe cable since it would not touch the surface. It will not kink orresist the user since it is not held in a way that would induce kinks orallow tangles.

FIG. 10 shows a real view of another embodiment of the holder 410 inuse. The holder 410 is fastened to a generally vertical surface such asthe upright rear surface of the display D of an opened portablecomputer. The holder 410 includes fastening means 417, an aperture 415and a twisted portion 418. The holder 410 may be formed of a strip ofmetal with an approximately 90 degree twist. The angle of the supportsurface will determine the amount of twist.

FIG. 11 shows a holder 510 including a flange portion 518 and fasteningmeans 517 at an end of the body part 510 b distal to the aperture 515for mounting on a generally vertical surface above the mouse. As isevident from the drawings, flange portion 518 includes a flat attachingsurface extending in a single plane upon which fastening means 517 isdisposed. The attaching surface thus extends in a direction transverseto the projecting body part 510 b and fastening means 517 includes meansfor affixing the flat attaching surface to a flat support surface.

FIG. 12 shows a holder 510′ including an adjustable body part or arm 510a pivotally connected to a body part 510 b at pivot point 516. Theholder 510′ includes a flange portion 518 and fastening means 517 at anend distal to the aperture 515.

FIGS. 13-15 show a view of another embodiment of the holder 610 inclosed, partially extended and extended positions, respectively. Theholder 610 includes S-curved arms 610 a, 610 b which are pivotallyconnected at pivot point 616. Arm 610 a includes an aperture 615 and arm610 b includes flange 618 and fastening means 617.

The holder can be formed from any suitable material including wood,metal and plastic.

The pivotal connection may be freely pivotal or it may include featuresto retard pivotal motion such as a friction washer or detents.

Although the holder and the method of using the same according to thepresent invention has been described in the foregoing specification withconsiderable details, it is to be understood that modifications may bemade to the invention which do not exceed the scope of the appendedclaims and modified forms of the present invention done by othersskilled in the art to which the invention pertains will be consideredinfringements of this invention when those modified forms fall withinthe claimed scope of this invention.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, what is claimed is:
 1. A flexible cable holder for releasably suspending a computer mouse cable from a location above the plane of a surface upon which the mouse is moved to provide an adjustable length of cable between the mouse and the holder, said cable holder comprising: (a) a body member including two end portions with fastening means disposed at one of said end portions for affixing the holder at a location above the plane of said surface upon which the mouse is moved during its operation, and (b) projecting means for extending generally horizontally and outwardly from said one of said end portions when affixing the holder with said fastening means at a location above said plane of said surface upon which the mouse is moved, (c) said projecting means including aperture means disposed at the other said end portion of the holder for releasably receiving a folded cable portion which is folded back upon itself to be frictionally retained in place with respect to the projecting means to maintain said adjustable length of the cable substantially constant between the mouse and the holder, (d) said aperture means being effective to allow said mouse to be freely moved below said projecting means during operation of the mouse without said adjustable length of the cable being subject to frictional drag and entanglement when the mouse is moved across said surface.
 2. A flexible cable holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said two end portions are disposed along a longitudinal axis of the body member.
 3. A flexible cable holder as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said two end portions of the body member is disposed along a first directional axis and the other of said-end portions is disposed along a second directional axis that is at an angle with respect to said first directional axis.
 4. A flexible cable holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said body member includes means for receiving and holding small articles.
 5. A flexible cable holder as defined in claim 4 wherein said receiving and holding means includes slot means for holding flat objects in an upright position.
 6. A flexible cable holder as defined in claim 4 wherein said receiving and holding means includes tray means for holding writing instruments.
 7. A flexible cable holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said aperture is effective to enable said cable portion to be inserted from said bottom surface through said top surface, and said length of cable beneath said projecting means is adjustable by controlling the amount of folded-back cable portion that extends through said aperture.
 8. A flexible cable holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said two end portions are disposed in a horizontal plane and at an angle with respect to each other.
 9. A flexible cable holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said aperture is effective to enable said cable portion to be inserted from said bottom surface through said top surface, said length of cable beneath said projecting means is adjustable by controlling the amount of folded-back cable portion that extends through said aperture, and said projecting means includes a twisted portion whereby said holder is effective to extend from a generally vertical support surface to which the holder is affixed with said fastening means.
 10. A flexible cable holder as defined in claim 1 wherein an end portion of said holder includes an arcuate section.
 11. A flexible cable holder for releasably suspending a computer mouse cable from a location above the plane of a surface upon which the mouse is moved to provide an adjustable length of cable between the mouse and the holder, said cable holder comprising: (a) a body member including a center section and two end portions, each end portion including first and second projecting means for extending generally horizontally and outwardly in first and second directions from the center section, and (b) means disposed at said center section for fastening the holder at a location above the plane of said surface upon which the mouse is moved during its operation, (c) each said projecting means including aperture means disposed at each of said end portions of the holder and including an aperture having a size effective to releasably receive and frictionally retain a folded cable portion which is folded back upon itself, (d) said projecting means including a top surface and a bottom surface, and said aperture extends through said top and bottom surfaces, and said aperture is further effective to maintain said adjustable length of the cable substantially constant between the mouse and the holder, (e) said aperture means being effective to allow said mouse to be freely moved below said projecting means when frictionally retaining said folded-back cable portion when the mouse is moved along said surface without said adjustable length of the cable being subject to frictional drag and entanglement.
 12. A flexible cable holder for releasably suspending a computer mouse cable from a location above the plane of a surface upon which the mouse is moved to provide an adjustable length of cable between the mouse and the holder, said cable holder comprising: (a) two end portions with fastening means disposed at one of said end portions for affixing the holder at a location above the plane of said surface upon which the mouse is moved during its operation, and (b) projecting means for extending generally horizontally and outwardly from said fastening means when affixing the holder at a location above said plane of said surface upon which the mouse is moved, (c) said projecting means including cable retaining means disposed at the other said end portion of the holder for releasably receiving and frictionally retaining a folded cable portion which is folded back upon itself, said cable retaining means being effective to maintain said adjustable length of the cable substantially constant between the mouse and the holder, (e) said cable retaining means being further effective to allow said mouse to be freely moved along said surface below said projecting means without said adjustable length of the cable being subject to frictional drag and entanglement, (f) means pivotally connecting said projecting means to said fastening means for swinging said projecting means in a generally horizontal plane when the cable holder is affixed at a location above the plane of said surface upon which the mouse is moved.
 13. A flexible cable holder as defined in claim 12 wherein said fixed projection portion and said adjustable projection portion each having an arcuate section and said aperture is disposed at an outer end portion of the adjustable projection portion.
 14. A flexible cable holder for releasably suspending a mouse cable from a location above the plane of a surface upon which the mouse is moved to provide an adjustable length of cable between the mouse and the holder, said cable holder comprising: (a) two end portions with fastening means disposed at one of said end portions for affixing the holder at a location above the plane of said surface upon which the mouse is moved during its operation, and (b) projecting means for extending generally horizontally and outwardly from said fastening means when affixing the holder above said plane of said surface upon which the mouse is moved, (c) said projecting means including cable retaining means disposed at the other said end portion of the holder for releasably receiving and frictionally retaining a folded cable portion which is folded back upon itself, (d) said cable retaining means including a top surface, a bottom surface, and an aperture that extends through said top and bottom surfaces, said aperture having a size sufficient to receive and frictionally retain said folded cable portion in place with respect to the projecting means to maintain said adjustable length of the cable substantially constant between the mouse and the holder, (e) said cable retaining means being effective to allow said mouse to be freely moved along said surface below said projecting means when said mouse is in use without said adjustable length of cable beneath said projecting means being subject to frictional drag and entanglement, (f) said fastening means including a flat attaching surface extending in a single plane and in a direction transverse to the projecting means, said fastening means further including means for affixing said flat attaching surface to a flat support surface. 